MQM-P reaches out to PML-F

High-level delegation led by Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori visits Pir Sadruddin Shah Rashidi's residence

KARACHI:

In a determined push to change the opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has stepped up its campaign to secure the backing of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA).

A high-level delegation from the MQM-P, led by Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, made a visit to the residence of Pir Sadruddin Shah Rashidi. Simultaneously, during the crucial GDA meeting, nine MPAs affixed their signatures to a plain paper, expressing their support for the opposition leader without explicitly naming a candidate. However, the GDA has yet to make a formal announcement regarding their endorsement.

The crucial meeting between Governor Tessori and Sadruddin Shah delved deep into the prevailing political landscape in the province. Discussions encompassed the imperative of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to promote the best interests of the region and other matters of mutual significance.

MQM-P leaders Khawaja Izhar and Rana Ansar were present during the meeting and requested the GDA for support in electing Rana Ansar as the opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly.

The deliberations also centered around the formation of a caretaker setup in Sindh, and both parties concurred on sustaining ongoing contacts and arranging further meetings to address this crucial matter.

Sources revealed that during the GDA meeting in Karachi, nine influential MPAs discreetly signed a plain paper as a symbol of their backing for an opposition leader. Subsequent final discussions between GDA stalwarts Safdar Abbasi and Sardar Rahim and the MQM leadership are yet to transpire.

It is noteworthy that before this pivotal meeting, a GDA-led gathering, presided over by Sadruddin Shah, collected signatures from nine MPAs on plain paper without explicitly specifying the opposition leader’s name. Notably, among the 14 GDA members in the Sindh Assembly, Nusrat Sehar Abbasi, Hasnain Mirza, Rashid Shah, and Ali Gohar Mehar are currently overseas, while Shahryar Mehar has aligned himself with the PPP.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2023.